March Events and Programs at Stepping Stones Museum for Children

Hop on over to Stepping Stones for a month full of magical moments! Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by helping us build and protect an Irish castle. Make your own dragon eggs and mythical creatures. Monkey around in your pajamas with Curious George and enjoy our annual Egg-straodinary Egg-stravaganza! NOTE: The Museum will be closed to the public every Monday and will only be open for school groups.

SPECIAL EXHIBITS

Mega Making

A Stepping Stones visitor favorite returns! The museum’s beloved Mega Making exhibit is back after a yearlong hiatus! Can we fix it? Yes we can! Every child can be a builder, engineer, artist, or dressmaker at this hands-on construction zone open until Labor Day 2018. Using real materials and real tools, young makers can explore a variety of supplies, techniques and projects to bring their creative ideas to life. Helpful staff members are always there to lend a hand, whether it’s working a needle and thread for the first time, practicing using wrenches and screwdrivers, tinkering with batteries and buzzers or picking out the perfect artist medium. There’s something for all ages!

The Mega Making exhibit experience is organized into a four main areas:

· Art

· Textile

· Construction/Woodworking

· Book Nook/Future Ideas

Mega Making is made possible through the generosity of Primary Sponsor Ring's End and Supporting Sponsor First County Bank.

EVENTS

Events and programs are free with museum admission unless otherwise indicated. A small materials fee may apply to some activities.

SATURDAY, March 10

My Ability 11:00am – noon

A sensory-friendly workshop designed to be a safe and welcoming experience for visitors with special needs and their caregivers. During the workshop, participants are invited to engage in sensory activities, gross motor play, fine motor play, self-guided projects, directed constructs and socialization with other participants. Parents and caregivers can also explore and share resources.

SATURDAY, March 10 – SUNDAY, March 11

Explorations: Prehistoric Paper Pals 11:15am – 11:45am

Use patterned baking liners to create creatures from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods!

Explorations: Dino Games 2:15pm – 2:45pm

Dinosaurs like to have fun, too! Step right up and play some of their favorite games.

SATURDAY, March 10

Early Closing at 3pm to prepare for our Storybook Pajama Party.

Storybook Pajama Party: Curious George 4pm – 8pm

Kids and their families can enjoy an interactive storytime featuring Curious George Goes to the Zoo on our giant 33' x 12' screen with multimedia graphics. After the story, kids will go bananas when they can actually meet Curious George himself and take photos with him. There will also be games, crafts, and other hands-on “curious” activities available throughout the museum all evening. The team from Elm Street Books in New Canaan will be selling Curious George books and merchandise and a portion of all sales will be donated to Stepping Stones. Tickets are Members $10, Non-members $15/person and children under the age of one will be admitted for free. Tickets are non-refundable and non transferable. Space is limited. Register online at www.steppingstonesmuseum.org

Choose a storytime:

4:30 pm – SOLD OUT

5:15 pm

*6:00 pm en Español

6:45 pm

MONDAY, March 12

Museum closed. Open for school groups only.

THURDAY, March 15

Accessibility Afternoon 1pm – 5pm

FREE admission for families of children with special needs.

My Ability 3pm – 5pm

A sensory-friendly experience open to families visiting through Accessibility Afternoon.

Tools Rule 3pm – 5pm

Learn about and use real tools with our knowledgeable exhibits staff.

SATURDAY, March 17 – SUNDAY, March 18

Storm the Castle 9am – 4pm

Help us put the final touches on our Irish castle, build forts and construct catapults to protect the castle.

Explorations: Mythological Magic 11:15am – 11:45am

Experience the mystical properties of chemical reactions!

Explorations: Leprechaun Science 2:15pm – 2:45pm

Be a leprechaun and use your scientific magic to hide a pot of gold!

SATURDAY, March 17

YES2 Public Gaming Unplugged 12pm – 2pm

Join YES2 participants in playing games that don't require batteries, computers or phones! It's a celebration of board games, card games and other fun activities you don't need to plug in!

SUNDAY, March 18

Accessibility Day 10:00am – 5:00pm

Free admission for families of children with special needs.

Special Needs Financial Planning 11:00am – 1:30pm

Meet Stephen Ehrens, a family financial planner who specializes in helping families with children that have special needs prepare for their future.

MONDAY, March 19

Museum closed. Open for school groups only.

TUESDAY, March 20

Explorations: Nature's Balance 11:15am – 11:45am

Explore the vernal Equinox by playing the night and day balance game!

THURSDAY, March 22

Create with Kali: Flying Fairies 10:00am – 10:30am

Recommended for all ages.

Tools Rule 3:00pm – 3:30pm

Learn about and use real tools with our knowledgeable exhibits staff.

FRIDAY, March 23

Making with Maddy: Fairy Houses 12:15pm – 12:45pm

Recommended for ages 2 and up.

SATURDAY, March 24

Brain Awareness Week Celebration 11am – 1pm

Program with Neuroscience & Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University.

SATURDAY, March 24 – SUNDAY, March 25

Explorations: Unicorn Puppets 11:15am – 11:45am

Design a playful unicorn puppet for an enchanted adventure!

Explorations: Creature Creation 2:15pm – 2:45pm

Roll the dice and use your imagination to invent a unique creature. Then tell a story about who it is and where it lives.

SUNDAY, March 25

Show Me a Tale - 7 Continents of the World 2pm – 3pm

Come along on the journey as we travel to Norway with a special story ready on The 3 Billy-Goats Gruff. Then make your own 3-D pull-tab illustrations.

MONDAY, March 26

Museum closed. Open for school groups only.

THURSDAY, March 29

Tools Rule 3:00pm – 3:30pm

Learn about and use real tools with our knowledgeable exhibits staff.

FRIDAY, March 30

StoryTime - Local Author Showcase 11:30am – 12:30pm

Join local author Rebecca Weisenberg to celebrate her new book, A Tale of the Monkey Balloon. In the book, Mimi goes on an adventure through magical fairy tales to find her lost balloon. A book signing, related activities and other surprises. Copies of A Tale of the Monkey Balloon will be available for purchase.

SATURDAY, March 31

Egg-straodinary Egg-stravaganza 10am – 1pm

The annual egg-citing event hosted by Benedict the Egg promises to egg-ceed all egg-spectations with egg decorating, music, an egg roll competition, games and more.

Explorations: Dragon Eggs 11:15am – 11:45am

Use your magic to create a colorful dragon egg full of sparkling gems!

Explorations: Dragon Eggs 2:15pm – 2:45pm

Use your magic to create a colorful dragon egg full of sparkling gems!

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Stepping Stones Museum for Children is an award-winning, private, non-profit 501 (c)(3) children’s museum committed to broadening and enriching the lives of children and families. Stepping Stones is located at 303 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT, exit 14 North and 15 South off I-95. Museum hours are: Labor Day through Memorial Day, Tuesday—Sunday and holiday Mondays from 10 am-5pm; and Memorial Day through Labor Day, Monday-Sunday from 10 am-5 pm. Admission is $15 for adults and children and $10 for seniors. Children under 1 are free. For more information about Stepping Stones, to book a field trip or schedule a class, workshop or facility rental call 203-899-0606 or visit www.steppingstonesmuseum.org.